This uneventful holiday week has been the end to a long and tumultuous year in city news. Here’s a look back.

Jan. 3 The Empress Hotel, a heritage building that had stood for nearly 125 years at the corner of Yonge and Gould streets, is destroyed by a fire, triggering weeks of city-wide introspection about the efficacy of our historical-conservation laws.

Feb. 24 Rob Ford passes his first budget — a relatively modest one with few significant service cuts. Lack of an associated property tax increase sets an uncertain tone for the year to come, as politicians begin to contemplate the looming 2012 operating deficit.

March 9 At a special meeting, city council votes to dismiss the remaining four members of Toronto Community Housing Corp.’s 13-member board, following a damaging auditor-general’s report on improper spending.

April 3 In response to a comment made by a Toronto police officer during a campus-safety session at Osgoode Hall (he reportedly told female attendees to prevent sexual assault by not dressing like “sluts”) Toronto organizers stage the first SlutWalk, a march to protest slut-shaming. Activists in other cities around the world soon stage their own SlutWalks.

May 2 The federal election happens. Toronto goes as the rest of the country goes: mainly to the Conservatives and the NDP, with the Liberal party pushed out of most of its former ridings.

June 13 Rolling Canada-wide postal strikes hit Toronto, wreaking havoc on anyone with a cheque in the mail.

July 28 Distressed residents mob City Hall to give deputations in front of Rob Ford’s executive committee before it considers cuts suggested as part of KPMG’s core service review. There are so many speakers that the meeting lasts through the night.

Aug. 22 Jack Layton dies. A crowd gathers in Nathan Phillips Square to mourn him. The concrete pavers there are soon covered in chalk messages. Within days, the impromptu memorial spreads from one side of the square to the other.

Sept. 21 City council unanimously approves a “consensus” plan to quash a Doug Ford-championed scheme to redevelop the Port Lands into a tourist destination, complete with Ferris wheel.

Oct. 24 City council votes to privatize all garbage collection west of Yonge Street.

Nov. 23 Police and city officials remove Occupy Toronto protestors from St. James Park after more than a month of continuous camping. The eviction is surprisingly peaceful.

December The year ends on a predictable note: The city is consumed with budget negotiations in advance of an expected January council vote.

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